11 minute read
From Ukraine to America: Reflections of Reagan Ranch Center Welcome Desk Officer Vera Markov
From Ukraine to America:
Reflections of Reagan Ranch Center Welcome Desk Officer Vera Markov
By Kelleigh Clarke, Director of Foundation Relations
Vera Markov serves as the welcome desk officer at the Reagan Ranch Center, hosting students, supporters, and guests of Young America’s Foundation who visit the Center. In her role, she also oversees aspects of the docent program at the Center. The 22,000-square-foot Reagan Ranch Center serves as YAF’s “Schoolhouse for Reaganism” in downtown Santa Barbara, offering dynamic, interactive exhibits, a library of conservative resources, and dedicated conference space. Situated in a prime location on State Street, the Center is the premier venue for the Conservative Movement on the West Coast.
Vera grew up in the former USSR, where she and her family were regularly persecuted for their conservative and Christian beliefs. She left Ukraine to obtain a degree in nursing in St. Petersburg, Russia, where she also met her husband.
They moved to the United States in 1992 in an effort to leave behind the weight and pressure of communism. Vera is thankful for America’s freedoms that allow her to openly practice her beliefs.
In her free time, she enjoys interior design, writing poetry, taking walks on the beach with her husband and daughter, and attending Bible study.
Libertas: Where were you born?
Vera: I was born in Rivne, located 200 miles west of Kyiv City in Ukraine. Rivne was part of the former Soviet Union and under communist rule.
I was born into a family of nine children. My father, Vsevolod Rozhko— an electromechanical engineer—and mom, Valentina—a professional tailor— were church choir singers.
We kids often heard them sing hymns together at home. My dad loved singing while strumming his guitar and always invited us to join. Soon, we were a family band with all of the children playing our own instruments.
— VERA MARKOV
Libertas: What was your childhood like?
Vera: My childhood was bright for the most part—filled with warmth, love, music, and books. But it was also tainted by communism.
We were a close-knit family. The kids looked after each other and helped our parents with chores. Every Sunday after church, my mom made sure we had a meal together as a family.
My dad, a passionate Christian evangelist at the Rivne Christian Baptist Church, traveled for his work and ministry but ensured that we were familiar with Bible stories whenever he was home. These stories were engraved in my memory and carried me through challenging years in school.
My dad visited nearby regions to plant new churches and encourage fellow believers to stay firm in their faith. Several years of his ministry had already drawn attention from local government officials, and now, his young family was constantly under the communist radar.
We didn’t have Sunday school, so attending weekly children’s Bible studies away from church was normal for us. These gatherings were kept secret, as the USSR’s Communist Party forbade anything but their agenda from being taught.
I recall a terrifying time when one day, my dad didn’t return home from work. Our family didn’t know where he was. He had been missing for a couple of days when my mom took us to the Rivne KGB office and demanded answers about his whereabouts. Only then was he released from a detention cell, where he was held for exercising his beliefs as a Christian minister.
Vera Markov serves as Young America’s Foundation’s welcome desk officer at the Reagan Ranch Center in Santa Barbara, California.
Welcome Desk Officer Vera Markov leads a YAF audience in prayer during the March 2022 High School Conference at the Reagan Ranch.
Libertas: How else did your family’s beliefs affect your life in the Soviet Union?
Vera: So many times, our family was awakened by long and loud doorbell rings early in the morning that scared us. If my parents didn’t open the door, the KGB agents and militia would bang on the door with their boots.
Once inside, they would search our apartment for Christian literature, hymnals, and Bibles. This type of literature was regarded as anti-Soviet by the government and had to be confiscated immediately.
Our neatly folded clothing and books on the shelves were thrown all over the floor. The men purposely stomped on them with heavy boots. Furniture was toppled over in search of “forbidden” material.
If anything was found, my parents were immediately considered criminals. Swift punishment would follow.
Libertas: What memories stand out to you outside of your home life? Vera: My schooling was marred by unpleasant experiences as well. All of my teachers made sure I felt ostracized from the rest of the student body.
In second grade, I wanted to be the class “first-aid agent,” which was an honorable role created by the teacher. Being an outstanding student, I voiced my desire but was quickly told I was not eligible because I was not a Little Octobrist—a member of a Soviet-led children’s ideological organization. It was painful for my eight-year-old self to understand that my dream wouldn’t come true.
I had a choice to join the Little Octobrists, but I felt I’d have to abandon my family whom I loved. At the time, one had to believe that Vladimir Lenin was the greatest leader who paved the way for a better life. But this felt wrong. I never ended up joining the Octobrists and never became my class first-aid agent. The intimidation became worse as the years passed. The school administration and teachers were creative in persecuting me for my faith— from mocking me in front of the class and even in front of the entire school assembly, to assigning a classmate to report anything and everything about me to the teachers, to lowering my exam grades. During my senior year of high school, I studied hard for my algebra exam and knew I did well. But the grade I saw on the paper was not stellar. I went to talk to the teacher, who told me she knew why I was there. She confirmed I earned an A+, but she wouldn’t actually give me that grade—and she said I should know why. It was because I was not a member of the All-Union Leninist Young Communist League, also known as Komsomol. My entire senior year, the teacher never missed a chance to make degrading comments about my beliefs and Christians in general. Vera and her husband, Viktor, enjoy life in the United States following their experience under communism in the Soviet Union.
My lower grade on the exit exam was the price I had to pay for the freedom to exercise my beliefs.
Libertas: Why did you decide to move to the United States?
Vera: Once emigration became possible in the late 1980s, many people left Ukraine and moved to the United States, Israel, Canada, West Germany, and other Western countries as quickly as they could.
Three of my brothers and their young families sought the opportunity for better lives in the United States. In 1992, my husband and I—along with our baby daughter—and the rest of my family also made the decision to immigrate and reunite in Santa Barbara.
Libertas: How did you learn about Young America’s Foundation?
Vera: A friend of mine introduced me to YAF and its mission. I was delighted to see an organization cultivating conservative values among high school and college students throughout the country.
The Foundation’s work is inspiring because it invites young people to think for themselves. YAF’s speakers don’t blindly feed ideas to students. They provide historical context and examples of totalitarian regimes and ideological tyranny, then invite students to engage in conversation and draw their own conclusions.
I feel blessed to be part of an organization where my colleagues share my values. Knowing that I’m not going to be mocked for my conservative beliefs gives me a sense of belonging and security.
Libertas: What do you enjoy most about your role as welcome desk officer at the Reagan Ranch Center?
Vera: I enjoy how multifaceted my role is. It consists of running front desk operations, interacting with visitors, providing information on YAF and the Reagan Ranch, and managing our museum docent schedules and gallery operations.
Since the Reagan Ranch Center museum galleries are open to the public, I often hear visitors’ fond recollections of Ronald Reagan as a humble and personable leader who cared about the American people and the country we call home.
It’s also inspiring to see young people absorb the information presented to them during YAF’s student programs. The Foundation’s efforts to preserve history and conservative values will make a difference for years to come.
As YAF supporters visit the Reagan Ranch Center, Markov shares her story of growing up in Ukraine and joining the Foundation team.
— VERA MARKOV
Libertas: Having grown up in the Soviet Union, what does it mean to you that you are able to preserve the legacy of Ronald Reagan through your work with YAF?
Vera: After living in America for several decades, it’s hard not to notice the recent attacks against the freedoms on which this great country was founded. It appears that arrogance, disorder, anarchy, and chaos are celebrated and even encouraged.
Hard work and strong character have seemingly become obsolete. Many feel entitled to take what they have not worked for and believe the government will provide for all their needs.
President Reagan believed strong character comes first. He was hardworking from a young age. Later, as the leader of this country, he believed every person had a right to the pursuit of happiness and freedom from the tyranny of totalitarian regimes.
He played a monumental role in rolling back communism in Eastern Europe during the late 1980s. Together with Mikhail Gorbachev, President Reagan made it possible for many people to leave the oppressive communist regime and begin a better life in America and elsewhere.
My personal story is an example of why President Reagan’s legacy should be preserved.
Libertas: Can you share your thoughts on the Russian invasion of Ukraine?
own government, population, borders, language, currency, and culture. After the fall of communism in 1991, the Ukrainian people voted for independence from the former USSR and its ideology.
Currently, the so-called Russian operation in Ukraine is not an operation. It’s the invasion of a sovereign country and a brutal war against the Ukrainian people. Constant attacks on cities, hospitals, shopping centers, humanitarian corridors, and citizens have been intentional. It’s unbearable to watch young lives being destroyed, families left without mothers or fathers, and children wounded or killed by shelling and bombs.
But as much as Russia tries to destroy Ukraine, the more the Ukrainian people stay united to withstand the invasion and claim their territory back.
Life in a socialist society means total government control and, often, oppression.
Imagine being unable to get an education or a job you desire. Imagine being unable to hold your own opinions or practice your religious beliefs. Picture yourself being waitlisted for buying a car, washer, or dryer, or being unable to buy a home because personal property ownership is outlawed.
Imagine being unable to run your business the way you’d like or having to simply give away your belongings. Imagine grocery stores with empty shelves and food being rationed the way the government sees fit.
I can confidently say the following: Don’t give socialism or communism a try. Whatever socialism promises, “Don’t give socialism or communism a try. Whatever socialism promises, it never delivers.”
— VERA MARKOV
it never delivers. Don’t allow for your personal freedoms to be taken away. When these regimes and their policies are in place, it’s already too late. Reversing them is incredibly challenging.
Libertas: Regarding Ukraine’s resistance, what should Americans know about the country and its people?
Vera: Ukrainians have a rich heritage. From the 12th century to today, the Ukrainian people have fought for independence—from the PolishLithuanian Commonwealth, the Russian Empire, and more recently, the former USSR.
This longing for freedom has been described in songs and literature by Ukrainian singers, composers, thinkers, philosophers, and poets.
The current situation displays Ukraine’s resilience and ability to come together during a difficult time.
Libertas: Today in America, young people state that they are more supportive of socialism. What would you say to these students?
Vera: People often gain a better understanding of something when they experience it first-hand. Embracing socialism without experiencing it or knowing how it can affect a society is, frankly, foolish.
Winter 2022 Volume 43 • Number 3
National Headquarters 11480 Commerce Park Drive Sixth Floor Reston, Virginia 20191 800-USA-1776
NON PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID HERNDON, VA PERMIT NO 6551
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Young America’s Foundation’s Alumni Books
Since 1960, thousands of students have entered the doors of Young America’s Foundation to learn about the ideas of individual freedom, a strong national defense, free enterprise, and traditional values. They have since made significant contributions in a wide range of fields, including public policy, journalism, business, and more. Highlighted here is a selection of books from the hundreds written by YAF’s alumni authors (see inside, page 20).
